Questions from a washout
That the winter session would be washed out had been clear for a while. With the Opposition parties mustering all their disruptive (बाधाकारी) tactics (रणनीति/चाल) to stall the functioning of both Houses, insisting on maximalist demands on just how the debate on demonetization should be structured, hopes for any substantive work had diminished. In the event, the session also left a hysterical (उन्मत्त) afterglow, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling a gathering in Gujarat that he had to speak his mind in a “jan sabha” (people’s meet) as the Opposition wouldn’t let him do so in Parliament; and Rahul Gandhi, vice-president of the Congress party, complaining that he was not allowed to make earth-shattering disclosures on the floor of the House, but then keeping them close to his chest outside. With theatrics such as these, both the Government and the Opposition have left a question hanging in the politically charged air: what was the point? What did either side gain by bringing Indian parliamentary democracy’s most deliberative (विचारात्मक/विमर्शी) process to a grinding halt (रुकावट/बाधा होना) ? Just two bills were passed, one of them a money bill that did not need the Rajya Sabha’s nod. According to the think tank PRS Legislative Research, less than 1 per cent of the 330 questions listed for Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha were answered orally. The Lok Sabha looked better only in comparison, with 11 per cent.
Given what was at stake in the session, the abandonment (परित्यक्तता/अपसर्जन /छोड़ना) of the spirit of give-and-take that keeps the legislative schedule humming was baffling (विस्मयकारी /चक्कर में डालने वाला/हैरान करनेवाला). The government has staked much political capital on key financial reforms that need cooperation across the aisles (रास्ता)(“means all those were concerned to the matter in this case it is political”). It lost the chance to pass bills critical to the April 1, 2017, deadline for the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax. It also failed to end the session on a note of federal cooperation to set up the shift to Budget day to February 1 from next year. The Opposition, for its part, has clearly taken its cue from the BJP’s playbook. By forcing adjournments (स्थगन) while in opposition, it was successful in reinforcing the impression of a policy paralysis in the second UPA government. But the Congress has a point to prove other than what the BJP did then. To re-establish itself as a viable (विकासक्षम) option for voters, the Congress needs to share its vision and road map in the Rahul Gandhi era. The floor of the House, with a tempered debate and questioning as a constructive party of opposition, is a key venue for that. Basic self-interest demands that government and opposition avert (टालना/बचना) the possibility of the Budget session meeting the same fate as this one.
Disruptive (adjective)
Characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination बाधाकारी
Synonyms: Troublemaking, Troublesome, Disorderly, Undisciplined, Turbulent
Example: Coming to class late is quite disruptive to the other students.
Tactic (noun)
An action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end. रणनीति/चाल
Synonyms: Strategy, Scheme, Stratagem, Plan, Manoeuvre
Example: In order to achieve the win, the coach showed his team the best tactic to perform.
Hysterical (adjective)
Affected by or deriving from wildly uncontrolled emotion. उन्मत्त
Synonyms: Overwrought, Emotional, Uncontrolled, Unrestrained, Frenzied
Example: When you are faced with danger, it is very important for you to not become hysterical and think about it in a calm manner.
Deliberative (adjective)
Relating to or intended for consideration or discussion. विचारात्मक/विमर्शी
Synonyms: Contemplate, Pondering, Opining, Purposeful
Example: I cannot give the proposal the deliberation it deserves because I am facing a tight deadline.
Halt (noun)
A suspension of movement or activity, typically a temporary one. रुकावट/बाधा होना
Synonyms: Stop, Standstill, Cessation, Termination, Stoppage, Discontinuation
Example: Production at the factory was halted when one of the machines broke down.
Abandonment (noun)
To give up to the control or influence of another person or agent./ to give up the intent. परित्यक्तता/अपसर्जन /छोड़ना
Synonyms: Pretermission, Recantation, Renouncement, Relinquishment
Example: The abandonment of a newborn baby in a dumpster is being treated by police as a possible murder attempt.
Baffling (adjective)
Totally confused or puzzled or perplexed. विस्मयकारी /चक्कर में डालने वाला/हैरान करनेवाला
Synonyms: Bewildering, Confusing, Enigmatic, Incomprehensible, Mystifying, Perplexing, Abstruse.
Example: The complex puzzle baffled me for several hours before I could connect all the pieces.
Adjournment (noun)
The act of suspending indefinitely or until a later stated time स्थगन
Synonyms: Suspension, Breaking Off, Discontinuation, Prorogation, Postponement, Rescheduling, Deferment
Example: Until the director finds another lead actress, we will adjourn the production of the film.
Viable (adjective)
Capable of working successfully. विकासक्षम
Synonyms: Workable, Feasible, Practicable, Applicable, Usable, Manageable, Operable, Possible
Example: Increasing fuel costs are affecting the viability of the manufacturing process.
Avert (Verb)
Prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence). टालना/बचना
Synonyms: Avoid, Preclude, Prevent, Rule Out, Ward Off, Turn Away, Divert
Example: To avert a loss in the big game, the team needs to focus on playing as a single unit.
Sack (Verb)
Dismiss from employment. / the termination of someone's employment. बरखास्त
Synonyms: Discharge, Dismissal, Firing, Release Expel, Fire, Terminate
Example: The school board has sacked a teacher who punished a 14-year-old student very hard.
Complicity (noun)
The fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong. सहापराधिता
Synonyms: Collusion, Involvement, Collaboration, Connivance, Cahoot
Example: Although Jack did not rob the store, he will be charged with complicity in the crime because he gave his friends the alarm code.
Lodge (Verb)
Present (a complaint, appeal, claim, etc.) formally to the proper authorities. दायर करना
Synonyms: Register, Put Forward, Lay, Tender, Proffer, File
Example: The family a lodged a complaint in the police station regarding the theft that had happened last night.
Anonymous (adjective)
Not known or lacking marked individuality. नामरहित/अज्ञातकृत
Synonyms: Unnamed, Of Unknown Name, Nameless, Incognito, Unidentified, Unknown, Unspecified, Unacknowledged
Example: The donor requested to remain anonymous so that others wouldn’t bother him for money.
Suspicious (adjective)
Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something. संदिग्ध/संदेहजनक
Synonyms: Doubtful, Dubious, Wary, Chary, Skeptical, Distrustful, Disbelieving, Apprehensive
Example: The suspicious persons were arrested following the chaos in the city
Vengeance (noun)
The act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) प्रतिशोध/बदला
Synonyms: Revenge, Avengement, Retribution, Reprisal, Vendetta
Example: When Jim did not get the justice he thought he deserved in court, he got his own vengeance by shooting his attacker.
Flourish (Verb)
To develop well. /grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way. पनपना/फलना फूलना
Synonyms: Grow, Thrive, Prosper, Develop, Burgeon, Increase, Proliferate
Example: With the assistance of a caring mentor, Jill was able to flourish academically and socially at her new school.
Legitimate (adjective)
In accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles. / authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law. वैध/न्यायसंगत
Synonyms: Legal, Lawful, Statutory, Licit, Rational, Logical, Reasonable, Justifiable
Example: A government cannot be considered truly legitimate unless it is democratically elected.
Impediment (noun)
A hindrance or obstruction in doing something. अवरोध/बाधा
Synonyms: Barrier, Interruption, Obstacle, Hindrance, Obstruction, Block, Restriction, Deterrent
Example: According to a number of teachers, the biggest impediment to working in a small town is the low salary paid to educators.
Exhort (Verb)
Strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something. प्रेरित करना/आग्रह करना
Synonyms: Urge, Encourage, Enjoin, Persuade, Propel
Example: A good leader will exhort people to achieve their own forms of greatness rather than try to force them on a certain path.
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